Two birds with one stone: facile fabrication of an iron-cobalt bimetallic sulfide nanosheet-assembled nanosphere for efficient energy storage and hydrogen evolution

Transition metal sulfides are widely regarded as the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors. Herein, we utilized a straightforward electrodeposition method to prepare an iron-cobalt bimetallic sulfide nanosheet-assembled nanosphere on nickel foam (FeCo2S4/NF). The synergistic effect between bimetals and the unique three-dimensional structure significantly improved its capacitive performance. As a result, it demonstrated a remarkable specific capacitance, brilliant long-term stability and acceptable rate capability. Moreover, FeCo2S4/NF and active carbon (AC) were used to assemble an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC), and FeCo2S4//AC displays a maximum energy density of 29.4 W h kg-1 at 800 W kg-1. Moreover, when adopted as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), FeCo2S4/NF exhibited excellent catalytic properties (eta 10 = 165 mV). Our research provides a valuable insight into the multidisciplinary integration of high-performance energy materials. Fe-Co bimetallic sulfide with unique three-dimensional nanosphere structure was prepared using a facile hydrothermal method, and the energy storage and electrochemical hydrogen evolution performance were comprehensively investigated.

Automated summary

Transition metal sulfides, particularly the iron-cobalt bimetallic sulfide, have shown great promise as electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this study, a facile electrodeposition method was used to prepare a unique three-dimensional nanosphere structure of iron-cobalt bimetallic sulfide on a nickel foam substrate. This structure exhibited excellent capacitive performance, long-term stability, and rate capability. Additionally, when used in an asymmetric supercapacitor with active carbon, it demonstrated a high energy density. As an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, the bimetallic sulfide also exhibited excellent catalytic properties.